Review - Dark Reign: Punisher #6

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Tan Eng Huat
Colours: Lee Loughbridge
One of the most enjoyable facets of Dark Reign, this rebranded Punisher: War Journal has so far been a blast. With Norman Osborn’s sovereignty overshadowing every major Marvel title at the moment, Frank Castle has his work cut out for him, and Rick Remender has so far kept this series about as dynamic and unyielding as is possible. Unlike Brian Michael Bendis, he doesn’t require an entire issue to set up the next big confrontation, yet his action scenes always feel purposeful to the greater plot.
Last issue saw the Hood resurrect a dozen dead supervillains, all B-list losers who were killed by the Scourge of the Underworld. Now convinced that Castle is the Scourge, and given 30 days to lives, these guys are already resorting to desperate measures. Fortunately, Castle still has some tricks up his sleeve, namely a cache of stolen super-powered gadgets… and a hoverboard.
Remender’s Fear Agent cohort Jerome Opena has been replaced with Tan Eng Huat (Doom Patrol vol. 3), whose work is almost as well suited to the book – not too slick as to undo the comparatively grounded nature of the Punisher, but energetic enough to showcase the superhero scenes.
Frank’s latest computer whiz-kid sidekick, Henry, is still a little two-dimensional at the moment and has not been fleshed out beyond the purpose he serves. But if that purpose at present is to guide the Punisher through his vendetta against every villain and crook in the Marvel Universe, then that’s fine by me. Evidently, Henry’s past and motivations will eventually come into play, but for the time being I hope he lasts longer than Frank’s past buddies. Castle has been going it alone for far too long.
 

Review Total: 8/10

Reviewed by: Carl Doherty

Reaction to read a comic in public day

Just a quickie reaction to all these ads I see for Read a Comic in Public day on thursday. This is one of those well meaning ideas that kind of irks me a bit because it suggests that comic book fans are still closeted people who won't read their comics in public. This is not true of at least myself, I read my comics (the trades anyway, I am less likely to bring individual issues, especially older single issues out of the house because they can get damaged so easily) in public all the time. At work, in restaurants, wherever. If I don't have a prose book on me that I'm reading through, then I have a stack of TPB's or HC's with me that I'm plowing through. Super hero, indie, Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, Alan Moore, whoever.

Do you know why?

BECAUSE I DON'T CARE WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE LIKE IT OR NOT!

I don't care whether people think I'm brilliant, or stupid, or whatever. I don't care about their prejudices or praise for my reading choices (though if they praise it more the better for the industry). I simply DON'T CARE. You shouldn't care either.

Read a Comic In Public Day? That should be every day people. Every day when you have a comic that your reading and you have the time and occasion to read it out in the wide world? Then go do it. Because if you're so ashamed of your habit and your reading choices that you won't do it, or that you have to be prompted with an event like this to do it? Well, congrats, you're a coward. You're a coward because you worry about the judgment of strangers and people who really and truly have no concept of what they're talking about when they look down on you.

Read your comics wherever you want. People don't like it? Forget 'em. Friends don't like it? Find new ones. Family don't like it? Disown 'em.

Stand up for your self and for what you enjoy. The End.